Method and apparatus for determining information about access barring

ABSTRACT

A method for determining information about access barring includes the steps of: receiving a message set transmitted via a radio interface to a user equipment, the message set including at least a starting message that is a paging message; obtaining at least a first bit of a bit set from the starting message, wherein the bit set includes at least two bits and is intended for access barring; determining information of the bit set; the information at least disclosing whether the access barring is on or off; and receiving a system information block transmitted via the radio interface to the user equipment, the system information block comprising a scheduling information list that lists a further system information block that contains access barring parameters.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application under 35 USC § 120 and 37CFR 1.53(b) of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/365,544 (filed Feb.3, 2012, now allowed), and also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)and 37 CFR 1.55 from UK Patent Application Serial No. GB1201661.4 (filedJan. 31, 2012).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for determininginformation about access barring. Some embodiments of the presentinvention relate generally to Radio Resource Control (RRC) in a radioaccess network (RAN). A Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS)network and a long term evolution (LTE) network are some examples ofRAN.

BACKGROUND

The present application relates to RAN overload control. Importantbackground information to the invention may be found in the 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) specification TS 22.011, section4.3.4.

The RRC protocol layer provides functions such as broadcasting systeminformation in a RAN. Based on the characteristics and uses of thisinformation, the information elements are grouped together into a masterinformation block (MIB) and different system information blocks (SIBs).The MIB is transferred on a broadcast channel every 40 ms and isrepeated within 40 ms. A user equipment (UE) acquires the MIB to decodea shared channel. The MIB contains a downlink system bandwidth, aphysical HARQ indicator channel, and a system frame number, wherein HARQis an acronym for hybrid adaptive repeat and request.

SIB1 is the first system information block to be transferred aftertransferring MIB. It is scheduled in a fixed manner with a periodicityof 80 ms and is repeated within 80 ms. SIB1 contains cell-access-relatedinformation, information for cell selection, a frequency band indicator,etc. In addition, SIB1 contains SI-window length and a systeminformation value tag. SIB1 is transmitted in a system information blockmessage and the other SIBs are transmitted in system information (SI)messages. Each SI message is transmitted periodically in time domainwindows, i.e. in SI-windows, and SI windows for different SI messages donot overlap. The length of SI-window defined in SIB1 is the same for allSI messages.

SIB2 contains radio resource configuration information common to allUEs. In more detail, SIB2 includes access barring information, radioresource configuration of common channels, and a lot of otherinformation. SIB10 contains earthquake and tsunami warning system (ETWS)primary notification and SIB11 contains ETWS secondary notification bywhich users of UEs can be warned in case of an earthquake or a tsunami.

When the system information is updated, SI messages are repeated duringmodification periods. During the first modification period, the systeminformation modification indicator is sent in a paging message to an UE,and during the next modification period, the RAN transmits the updatedsystem information to the UE. The UE verifies that its systeminformation remains valid by either checking systemInfoValueTag inSystemInformationBlockType1 after the modification period boundary.Alternatively, the UE attempts to find systemInfoModification indicationduring a modification period. If no paging message is received by the UEduring the modification period, the UE assumes that no change of systeminformation will occur during the next modification period. If the UE isin RRC_CONNECTED mode and it receives the paging message, it deducesfrom the presence or absence of systemInfoModification whether a changeof system information will occur in the next modification period or not.

As mentioned above, the SIB 2 includes the access barring information.In more detail, the SIB2 is used in access class barring (ACB) which istoday's method to implement access barring in LTE networks. ACBcomprises a number of parameters to indicate which of the access classesare currently barred and each UE should compare its access class to thebarred access classes.

The maximum modification period during which the access barringinformation reaches UEs is calculated as:modificationPeriodCoeff×defaultPagingCycle. For example, the maximummodification period could be in radio frames (rf): 16×256 rf=4096 rfwhich requires 40960 ms. Thus, the access barring information reachesthe UEs quite slowly. The delay associated with reading the updatedsystem information (the access barring information) is not acceptable insome overload scenarios, in terms of being able to protect the RAN fromexcessive access attempts. The sudden surge in access attempts mayhappen because of an earthquake or a tsunami, but more probably becauseof smart metering, fleet management, civilian surveillance, etc.applications.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment of the present invention a method of informing a userequipment about access barring comprises the steps of:

determining a bit set for the access barring, wherein the bit setincludes at least two bits and discloses at least whether the accessbarring is on or off;

placing at least a first bit of the bit set in a starting message, thestarting message being one of the following messages: a masterinformation block message or a paging message; and

transmitting the bit set in a message set via a radio interface to theuser equipment, the message set including at least the starting message.

In one embodiment of the present invention there is an apparatus,comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code,

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to,with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at leastthe above-mentioned steps of the method of informing the user equipmentabout the access barring.

These two embodiments have at least one of following advantages: theaccess barring is flexible or the access barring operates fast. Theaccess barring is flexible because it can be adjusted in many ways. Theaccess barring operates very fast when it uses only the startingmessage, i.e. the master information block message or the pagingmessage.

In one embodiment of the present invention there is an apparatus,comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code,

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to,with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at leastthe following:

-   -   receiving a message set transmitted via a radio interface to a        user equipment, the message set including at least a starting        message that is a paging message;    -   obtaining at least a first bit of a bit set from the starting        message, wherein the bit set includes at least two bits and is        intended for access barring; and    -   determining information of the bit set; the information at least        disclosing whether the access barring is on or off; and    -   receiving a system information block transmitted via the radio        interface to the user equipment, the system information block        comprising a scheduling information list that lists a further        system information block that contains access barring        parameters.

This embodiment of the present invention intended for receiving themessage set transmitted via the radio interface have at least one offollowing advantages: the access barring is flexible in the userequipment or the access barring can be quickly set on in the userequipment. The access barring is flexible because it can be adjusted inmany ways. The access barring operates very fast when it is set on bythe starting message. Various aspects of embodiments and examples of thepresent invention are set out in the claims.

In other embodiments of the present invention the method of claim 1further comprises at least one of the following sub-substeps.

The step of determining the bit set comprises the sub-step of:

-   -   setting values into the bit set so that the bit set discloses at        least one of access classes 0-9 to be barred.

The step of determining the bit set comprises the sub-step of:

-   -   setting values into the bit set so that the bit set discloses at        least one of access classes 0-9 to be released.

The step of determining the bit set comprises the sub-step of:

-   -   setting values into the bit set so that that bit set includes a        category parameter, the category parameter disclosing at least        one category of categories A, B, and C to which the access        barring is applied.

The step of determining the bit set comprises the sub-step of:

-   -   setting values into the bit set so that the bit set includes a        network parameter, the network parameter disclosing at least one        public land mobile network to which the access barring is        applied.

The step of determining the bit set comprises the sub-step of:

-   -   setting values into the bit set so that the bit set includes a        domain parameter disclosing a domain set to which the access        barring is applied; the domain set including at least one of the        following domains: a circuit switched domain, a packet switched        domain.

The step of determining the bit set comprises the sub-step of:

-   -   setting values into the bit set so that the bit set discloses        information of the access barring to be updated.

The step of transmitting the bit set comprises the sub-steps of:

-   -   transmitting a system information block message to the user        equipment; and    -   transmitting at least a part of the bit set to the user        equipment by using a system information message determined in        the system information block message.

In other embodiments of the present invention the apparatus operating inthe RAN is caused to perform at least one of the following operations.

The apparatus is caused to perform: setting values into the bit set sothat that bit set includes a category parameter, the category parameterdisclosing at least one category of categories A, B, and C to which theaccess barring is applied.

The apparatus is caused to perform: setting values into the bit set sothat the bit set discloses information of the access barring to beupdated.

The apparatus is caused to perform: transmitting a system informationblock message to the user equipment; and transmitting at least a part ofthe bit set to the user equipment by using a system information messagespecified in the system information block message.

The apparatus is caused to perform: determining on the basis of valuesof the bit set that at least one of access classes 0-9 is barred.

The apparatus is caused to perform: determining on the basis of valuesof the bit set that at least one of access classes 0-9 is released.

The apparatus is caused to perform: detecting in the bit set a categoryparameter, the category parameter disclosing at least one category ofcategories A, B, and C to which the access barring is applied.

In other embodiments of the present invention the apparatus operating inthe RAN is caused to perform at least one of the following operations.

The apparatus is caused to perform: detecting in the bit set a networkparameter, the network parameter disclosing at least one public landmobile network to which the access barring is applied.

The apparatus is caused to perform: detecting in the bit set a domainparameter, the domain parameter disclosing a domain set to which theaccess barring is applied; the domain set including at least one of thefollowing domains: a circuit switched domain, a packet switched domain.

The apparatus is caused to perform: determining on the basis of the bitset that the access barring is updated.

The apparatus is caused to perform: receiving a system information blockmessage; receiving a system information message defined in the systeminformation block message; and obtaining at least a part of the bit setfrom the system information message.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of examples and embodiments of thepresent invention, reference is now made to the following descriptionstaken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a method in one embodiment of the present invention,the method performing access barring by transmitting a bit set via aradio interface to a user equipment;

FIG. 2 illustrates an apparatus in one embodiment of the presentinvention, the apparatus performing access barring by transmitting a bitset via a radio interface to a user equipment; and

FIG. 3 illustrates an apparatus in one embodiment of the presentinvention, the apparatus performing access barring by receiving a bitset from a radio interface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The term “bit set” used in the embodiments of the present inventionrefers to a set of bits which are transmitted via a radio interface toUEs in order to bar access attempts from the UEs. When the number of UEsis N, the access barring concerns 0-N UEs. In some embodiments all thebits are transmitted in one message and in some other embodiments thebits are transmitted in different messages. Basically, the number ofbits is unlimited, but 18 bits or less is enough in most embodiments.

The invention can be implemented in a network side and in a userequipment side. In the network side it can be implemented in a basestation, or in more specific, in eNodeB, but there are otherpossibilities, too.

An example embodiment of the present invention and its potentialadvantages is understood by referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a method of informing a user equipment about accessbarring, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   determining 101 a bit set for the access barring, wherein the        bit set includes at least two bits and discloses at least        whether the access barring is on or off;    -   placing 102 at least a first bit of the bit set in a starting        message, the starting message being one the following messages:        a master information block message or a paging message; and    -   transmitting 103 the bit set in a message set via a radio        interface to the user equipment, the message set including at        least the starting message.

In an embodiment of the present invention related to barring accessclasses, an apparatus performing the method sets values into the bit setso that the bit set discloses at least one of access classes 0-9 to bebarred.

In an embodiment of the present invention related to releasing accessclasses, the apparatus sets values into the bit set so that the bit setdiscloses at least one of access classes 0-9 to be released.

The above-mentioned embodiment related to barring the access classes andthe above-mentioned embodiment related to releasing the access classesenable very flexible access barring and, if needed, they also enablevery fast access barring. In these embodiments the bit set discloseswhich access classes are barred. When the bit set includes two bits, thevalues of the bit set disclose, for example, the following information:

-   -   00=barring off,    -   01=access classes 0-4 barred (50% barring),    -   10=access classes 0-9 barred (100% barring),    -   11=re-acquire information of the access barring.

Alternatively, the values 01 and 10 indicate, for example, the followinginformation:

-   -   01=access classes 0-4 free, access classes 5-9 barred,    -   10=access classes 5-9 free, access classes 0-4 barred,

Alternatively, the values 01 and 10 may indicate the following:

-   -   01=one access class is released, starting from access class 0,    -   10=access classes 0-9 barred (100% barring).

In this example, an UE needs to count how many times it has received thebit set with values 01. The first time, it determines that access class0 is released, i.e. UEs having access class 0 are able to access theRAN. The second time, the UE determines that access class 1 is released.Finally, the tenth time, the last access class, i.e. access class 9, isreleased at the UE.

The bit set may include one bit for each access class 0-9, but then tenbits are needed to disclose which access classes are barred. When thispatent application was written MIB included the spare bits. Those sparebits are useful in various purposes in future, thus they should not bewasted. As shown in the above examples, it is possible to implement anew kind of access barring by using only two bits.

The term “extended access barring” (EAB) refers to access barring thatcan be adjusted in various ways. EAB can also be understood as flexibleaccess barring. When using EAB access classes to be barred are indicatedin one way or other. In addition, EAB may include a category parameter,a network parameter, and/or a domain parameter. These parameters arediscussed in the following.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus sets valuesinto the bit set so that that bit set includes a category parameter, thecategory parameter disclosing at least one category of categories A, B,and C to which the access barring is applied. The categories arespecified as follows:

-   -   A) all devices are configured for the access barring;    -   B) all such devices are configured for the access barring which        fail to be a part of their Home Public Land Mobile Network        (HPLMN) or Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN); and    -   C) all such devices are configured for the access barring which        fail to be a part of their HPLMN or ePLMN, or which fail to be a        part of the PLMN that is listed as the most preferred PLMN in        the country where UE is roaming.

The category parameter can be coded with two bits.

In one embodiment of the present invention the apparatus sets valuesinto the bit set so that the bit set includes a network parameter, thenetwork parameter disclosing at least one public land mobile network(PLMN) to which the access barring is applied. The UE may have access toa number of PLMNs and by the network parameter some of them (or all ofthem) can be barred from the UE. The network parameter can be coded withthree bits.

In one embodiment of the present invention the apparatus sets valuesinto the bit set so that the bit set includes a domain parameterdisclosing a domain set to which the access barring is applied; thedomain set including at least one of the following domains: a circuitswitched domain, a packet switched domain. The parameter can be codedwith two bits.

In one embodiment of the present invention the access barring isimplemented with eight bits so that the bit set includes two bits forthe on/off information and for the access classes (as illustrated in theabove examples), two bit for the category parameter, three bits for thenetwork parameter, and two bits for the domain information.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus sets a valueinto the first bit, the value informing that the access barring is on.In more detail, the apparatus uses one on/off bit and one updating bitto inform UE that there is updated access barring information to beread. This can be done in idle mode and connected mode. A MIB includesmost of the frequently transmitted parameters. For example, if theon/off bit and the updating bit are on, the UE reads the updated accessbarring information that is placed in a new EAB SIB. The new EAB SIB is,for example, SIB14. Otherwise, if the on/off bit is on and updating bitis off, the UE does not read SIB14 but uses the previous SIB14information. Otherwise, if the on/off bit is off, the UE discards thestored SIB14 and does not read a new SIB14.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus sets a valueinto the first bit, the value informing that the access barring is on.In more detail, the apparatus uses one on/off bit in MIB or paging andone updating bit to inform UE that there is updated access barringinformation to be read. This can be done in idle mode and connectedmode. A MIB includes most of the frequently transmitted parameters. Forexample, if the on/off bit and the updating bit are on, the UE reads theupdated access barring information that is placed in a new EAB SIB. Thenew EAB SIB is, for example, SIB14. Otherwise, if the on/off bit is onand updating bit is off, the UE does not read SIB14 but uses theprevious SIB14 information. Otherwise, if the on/off bit is off, the UEdiscards the stored SIB14 and does not read a new SIB14. This kind ofaccess barring is termed “EAB barring” and it is implemented, forexample, in the following way:

-   -   00=No EAB barring; discard stored EAB information,    -   10=EAB barring is on, no EAB Update, use previously read EAB        information,    -   11=EAB barring is on, read new EAB SIB information.

In one embodiment of the present invention the overload problem isalleviated by the EAB barring. In this embodiment evolved NodeB (eNB)sets value 0 into an access barring on/off bit to allowmachine-type-communication user equipments (MTC UEs) to access the RAN,and the eNB set value 1 into an updating bit. The access barring on/offbit may be the first bit and the updating bit may be the second bit, butthey can be coded in some other way, too. The updating bit keeps itsvalue (value 1) for a fixed period that is, for example, 3 hours. Whenthe fixed period ends, the updating bit is set value 0. In other words,value 0 is the default value at the MTC UEs, but the eNB can change thevalue 0 to 1 for the fixed period. This arrangement is one example ofthe flexibility of the access barring related to the invention. In moredetail, it cuts power consumption at the MTC UEs. If an MTC UE tries toaccess the network in a period of 24 hours before it accesses thenetwork, it would check MIB for EAB on/off and updating bit, the MTC UEswould always react to the instant of the network situation wheneverbefore its access.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus sets valuesinto the bit set, the values informing that the access barring isupdated.

It is possible to have different access barring schemas in the same RAN.In addition to the known ACB (access class barring) schema that usesSIB2, it is possible to implement a fast EAB schema. The fast EAB schemais based on use of a starting message and EAB SIB (the terms “startingmessage” and “EAB SIB” are specified in the above).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus sets a valueinto the first bit of the bit set to inform that the fast EAR schema isenabled, and it places a part of the bit set in binary variables ofSIB1. In more detail, the apparatus uses the first bit to enable an UEto obey the fast EAB schema, and it uses the binary variablesschedulingInfoList and ValueTag in SIB1 to inform about changes in theaccess barring. This embodiment can be utilized in the idle mode and inthe connected mode. When the EAB SIB is included in schedulingInfoListin SIB1, and ValueTag in SIB1 is updated, the UE will immediately readthe EAB SIB. The number of bits for ValueTag is defined by the number ofpossible combinations of access barring parameter values within periodT. Let us assume that the EAB SIB must disclose at most 16 differentparameter values. Then four bits are enough to disclose the 16 valuesand thus ValueTag is composed of 4 bits. In addition, a default periodis set in Timer. The default period is, for example 3 hours during whichan updating bit has value 1. This bit has the following effect. When theupdating bit carries value 1 the UE checks schedulingInfoList andValueTag to determine whether the UE should read EAB SIB. When Timerexpires, the updating bit is turned to 0 and the UE stops checkingschedulingInfoList and ValueTag.

In one embodiment of the present invention at least two bits are used toindicate updating of EAB SIB in MIB or paging. The number of bits (2 ormore) is defined by the number of possible combinations of the accessbarring parameter values within period T. This embodiment differs fromthe previous embodiment so that ValueTag is omitted, but as the previousembodiment, also this embodiment uses schedudingInfoList in SIB1. Inmore detail, an UE reads the indication bits and compares them topreviously stored indication hits. If the compared bits differ from eachother and if the EAB SIB is included in the schedulingInfoList in SIB1,the UE must to read EAB SIB. Otherwise, the UE doesn't read it. Thisembodiment as well as the previous embodiment cuts power consumption atMTC UEs.

For example, 4 bits can be used in MIB and paging in the following way:

-   -   0000=No EAB barring; discard stored EAB info

    -   0001=EAB barring is on, read new EAB info

    -   0010=EAB barring is on, read new EAB info

    -   0011=EAB barring is on, read new EAB info

    -   

    -   1110=EAB barring is on, read new EAB info

    -   1111=EAB barring is on, no EAB update use previous read EAB info

Window size of EAB SIB is preferably the same as the window size of theother SIBs. Position of the new EAB SIB should be fixed in BCCH(Broadcast Control Channel). Configuration updating speed of EAB SIB maydiffer from the configuration updating speed of the other SIBs. Itshould be noticed that when a MIB message is used as the startingmessage, there is 40 ms the minimum delay before UEs receive the MIBmessage.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus sets valuesinto the bit set, the values informing that the access barring isupdated.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus sets a valueinto the first bit of the bit set to inform that the access barring isupdated. In other words, the apparatus uses one updating bit to informUE that there is updated access barring information to be read. This canbe done in idle mode and connected mode. If the EAB SIB is included inschedulingInfoList in SIB1, and ValueTag is updated, the UE willimmediately read the EAB SIB. MIB includes most of the frequentlytransmitted parameters. For example, if the updating bit is on, the UEreads the updated access barring information that is placed in a new EABSIB (i.e. SIB14). Otherwise, if the updating bit is off, the UE uses thestored EAB SIB information.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus transmits asystem information block message to the user equipment and then theapparatus transmits at least a part of the bit set to the user equipmentby using a system information message determined in the systeminformation block message.

FIG. 2 illustrates an apparatus 201, comprising:

at least one processor 202; and

at least one memory 203 including computer program code 204,

the at least one memory and the computer program code. The apparatus 201determines a bit set 205 for the access barring, wherein the bit setincludes at least two bits and discloses at least whether the accessbarring is on or off. Then the apparatus 201 places at least a first bit206 of the bit set in a starting message 207, the starting message beingone the following messages: a master information block message or apaging message; and finally the apparatus 201 transmits the bit set in amessage set 208 via a radio interface 209 to a user equipment 210, themessage set including at least the starting message. The apparatus 201processes the bit set 205 in its memory 203. If it is possible to placethe whole bit set 205 into the starting message 207, the apparatus 201may do so, but in many embodiments the bit set 205 need to be dividedinto parts and transmit those parts in at least two messages to the userequipment 210.

The apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3 is preferably caused to perform themethod steps mentioned in the above. Some embodiments of apparatus 201are listed here. The apparatus 201 sets values into the bit set 205 sothat that bit set includes a category parameter, the category parameterdiscloses at least one category of categories A, B, and C to which theaccess barring is applied. The apparatus 201 sets values into the bitset 205 so that the bit set discloses information of the access barringto be updated. The apparatus 201 transmits a system information blockmessage to the user equipment 210 and it transmits at least a part ofthe bit set to the user equipment by using a system information messagespecified in the system information block message.

FIG. 3 illustrates an apparatus 301, comprising:

at least one processor 302; and

at least one memory 303 including computer program code 304.

The apparatus 301 is a user equipment 307 or it is a component of theuser equipment 307. The apparatus operates in the following way. Theapparatus 301 receives a message set 305 transmitted via a radiointerface 306 to the user equipment 307, the message set including atleast a starting message 308 that is one the following messages: amaster information block message or a paging message. Then the apparatus301 obtains at least a first bit 309 of a bit set 310 from the startingmessage, wherein the bit set includes at least two bits and is intendedfor access barring and finally the apparatus 301 determines informationof the bit set. This information at least discloses whether the accessbarring is on or off.

The apparatus 301 is preferably adapted to perform also the followingoperations. The apparatus 301 determines on the basis of values of thebit set that at least one of access classes 0-9 is barred, or at leastone of access classes 0-9 is released.

-   -   The apparatus 301 detects in the bit set 310 a category        parameter, the category parameter disclosing at least one        category of categories A, B, and C to which the access barring        is applied.    -   The apparatus 301 detects in the bit set 310 a network        parameter, the network parameter disclosing at least one public        land mobile network to which the access barring is applied.    -   The apparatus 301 detects in the bit set 310 a domain parameter,        the domain parameter disclosing a domain set to which the access        barring is applied; the domain set including at least one of the        following domains: a circuit switched domain, a packet switched        domain.    -   The apparatus 301 determines on the basis of the bit set 310        that the access barring is updated. Then the apparatus 301        receives a system information block message and a system        information message defined in the system information block        message. Finally, the apparatus 301 obtains at least a part of        the bit set from the system information message.

Relating to the all embodiments to the invention it should be noticedthat each bit in the bit set to be transmitted to UEs may have aspecific function or meaning. For example, the first bit of the bit setmay disclose access barring on/of information. As a person skilled inthe art knows, this is just one way to code the bit set. Any single bitin the bit set does not need to have a specific function or meaning. Asshown in the examples, more than one bit can be interpreted whendetermining the information of the bit set.

The exemplary embodiments can include, for example, any suitable networkdevices, base stations, eNodeBs, RAN devices, laptop computers, Internetappliances, handheld devices, cellular telephones, smart phones,wireless devices, and the like, capable of performing the processes ofthe exemplary embodiments. The devices and subsystems of the exemplaryembodiments can communicate with each other using any suitable protocoland can be implemented using one or more programmed computer systems ordevices.

Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in software,hardware, application logic or a combination of software, hardware andapplication logic.

In an example embodiment, the application logic, software or instructionset is maintained on any one of various conventional computer-readablemedia. In the context of this document, a “computer-readable medium” maybe any media or means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate ortransport the instructions for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer.A computer-readable medium may comprise a computer-readable storagemedium that may be any media or means that can contain or store theinstructions for use by or in connection with an instruction executionsystem, apparatus, or device, such as a computer. The exemplaryembodiments can store information relating to various processesdescribed herein. This information can be stored in one or morememories, such as a hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, RAM,and the like.

All or a portion of the exemplary embodiments can be convenientlyimplemented using one or more general purpose processors,microprocessors, digital signal processors, micro-controllers, and thelike, programmed according to the teachings of the exemplary embodimentsof the present invention, as will be appreciated by those skilled in thecomputer and/or software art(s). Appropriate software can be readilyprepared by programmers of ordinary skill based on the teachings of theexemplary embodiments, as will be appreciated by those skilled in thesoftware art. In addition, the exemplary embodiments can be implementedby the preparation of application-specific integrated circuits or byinterconnecting an appropriate network of conventional componentcircuits, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the electricalart(s). Thus, the exemplary embodiments are not limited to any specificcombination of hardware and/or software.

Stored on any one or on a combination of computer readable media, theexemplary embodiments of the present invention can include software forcontrolling the components of the exemplary embodiments, for driving thecomponents of the exemplary embodiments, for enabling the components ofthe exemplary embodiments to interact with a human user, and the like.Such software can include, but is not limited to, device drivers,firmware, operating systems, development tools, applications software,and the like. Such computer readable media further can include thecomputer program of an embodiment of the present invention forperforming all or a portion (if processing is distributed) of theprocessing performed in implementing the present invention. Computercode devices of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention caninclude any suitable interpretable or executable code mechanism,including but not limited to scripts, interpretable programs, dynamiclink libraries (DLLs), Java classes and applets, complete executableprograms, Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) objects, andthe like.

While the present invention has been described in connection with anumber of exemplary embodiments, and implementations, the presentinvention is not so limited, but rather covers various modifications,and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview ofprospective claims.

We claim:
 1. A method for access barring, the method comprising:receiving a message transmitted via a radio interface to a userequipment, the message including at least a master information blockmessage; obtaining a part of a bit set from the master information blockmessage, and obtaining another part of the bit set from a systeminformation block, the bit set including at least two bits used to codeinformation for access barring; determining from the bit set whether theaccess barring is on or off and which specific access classes arebarred; receiving the system information block transmitted via the radiointerface to the user equipment, the system information block comprisinga scheduling information list that lists a further system informationblock that contains access barring parameters; counting, by the userequipment, a number of times that the bit set is received by the userequipment; and determining a respective sequential releasing of aplurality of access classes based on the counting.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: determining based on values of the bit setwhich of access classes 0-9 is barred where the bit set is a maximum oftwo bits.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: detecting in thebit set a category parameter, the category parameter disclosing at leastone category of categories A, B, and C to which the access barring isapplied.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: detecting in thebit set a network parameter, the network parameter disclosing at leastone public land mobile network to which the access barring is applied.5. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising: detecting inthe bit set a domain parameter, the domain parameter disclosing a domainset to which the access barring is applied; and including in the domainset at least one of (i) a circuit switched domain and (ii) a packetswitched domain.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:determining based on the bit set that the access barring is updated. 7.An apparatus for access barring, the apparatus comprising: circuitryconfigured to: receive a message transmitted via a radio interface to auser equipment, the message including at least a master informationblock message; obtain a part of a bit set from the master informationblock message, and obtain another part of the bit set from a systeminformation block, the bit set including at least two bits used to codeinformation for access barring; determine from the bit set whether theaccess barring is on or off and which access classes are barred; receivethe system information block transmitted via the radio interface to theuser equipment, the system information block comprising a schedulinginformation list that lists a further system information block thatcontains access barring parameters; count, by the user equipment, anumber of times that the bit set is received by the user equipment; anddetermine a respective sequential releasing of a plurality of accessclasses based on the counting.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein thecircuitry is further configured to: determine based on values of the bitset which of access classes 0-9 is barred where the bit set is a maximumof two bits.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the circuitry isfurther configured to: detect in the bit set a category parameter, thecategory parameter disclosing at least one category of categories A, B,and C to which the access barring is applied.
 10. The apparatus of claim7, wherein the circuitry is further configured to: detect in the bit seta network parameter, the network parameter disclosing at least onepublic land mobile network to which the access barring is applied. 11.The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the circuitry is further configuredto: detect in the bit set a domain parameter, the domain parameterdisclosing a domain set to which the access barring is applied; andinclude in the domain set at least one of (i) a circuit switched domainand (ii) a packet switched domain.
 12. The apparatus of claim 7, whereinthe circuitry is further configured to: determine based on the bit setthat the access barring is updated.
 13. A non-transitory computerreadable medium comprising a set of instructions stored thereon foraccess barring, which, when executed by a computer system, cause thecomputer system to perform a method comprising: receiving a messagetransmitted via a radio interface to a user equipment, the messageincluding at least a master information block message; obtaining a partof a bit set from the master information block message, and obtaininganother part of the bit set from a system information block, the bit setincluding at least two bits used to code information for access barring;determining from the bit set whether the access barring is on or off andwhich access classes are barred; receiving the system information blocktransmitted via the radio interface to the user equipment, the systeminformation block comprising a scheduling information list that lists afurther system information block that contains access barringparameters; counting, by the user equipment, a number of times that thebit set is received by the user equipment; and determining a respectivesequential releasing of a plurality of access classes based on thecounting.
 14. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13comprising the set of instructions stored thereon for access barring,which, when executed by the computer system, cause the computer systemto perform the method further comprising: determining based on values ofthe bit set which of access classes 0-9 is barred where the bit set is amaximum of two bits.
 15. The non-transitory computer readable medium ofclaim 13 comprising the set of instructions stored thereon for accessbarring, which, when executed by the computer system, cause the computersystem to perform the method further comprising: detecting in the bitset a category parameter, the category parameter disclosing at least onecategory of categories A, B, and C to which the access barring isapplied.
 16. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13comprising the set of instructions stored thereon for access barring,which, when executed by the computer system, cause the computer systemto perform the method further comprising: detecting in the bit set anetwork parameter, the network parameter disclosing at least one publicland mobile network to which the access barring is applied.
 17. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13 comprising the setof instructions stored thereon for access barring, which, when executedby the computer system, cause the computer system to perform the methodfurther comprising: detecting in the bit set a domain parameter, thedomain parameter disclosing a domain set to which the access barring isapplied; and including in the domain set at least one of (i) a circuitswitched domain and (ii) a packet switched domain.